Biography

Josef Niederhammer

was born Sept. 27th, 1954 in Linz/OÖ where he also graduated from high school in 1972.
He started taking violin lessons from the age of six, followed by violoncello lessons at the Musikschule in Linz – and
finally changed to the double bass at 14. Following high school, studies at the High School for Music and the Performing
Arts in Vienna (now the University of Music und Performing Arts) with Ludwig Streicher.

1977

diploma with honours

1979

prize-winner of the ARD music competition, Munich

1993

Magister artium (Master of Arts)

Orchestra experience:

1973 - 1974

bassist in the orchestra of the Vienna Volksoper

1974 - 1977

bassist with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra

1977 - 1978

second principal bassist with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

1978 - 1986

principal bassist in the Bavarian State Orchestra Munich(Bavarian State Opera Munich)

1986 - 1991

principal bassist with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra

Since 1991, substitute for the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic.

Teaching experience:

1979 - 1984

double bass teacher at the Richard Strauss Conservatory, Munich

1980 - 1991

double bass teacher at the Music Academy in Munich

Since 1991

, professor for double bass at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts

2001-2004

guest professor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Various activities as tutor (e.g., Österr. Bundesjugendorchester, Bayer. Landes-jugendorchester,
Gustav-Mahler-Jugendorchester, Wiener Jeunesse-Orchester) and as jury member (e.g., ARD-Competition in Munich, Int.
Music Competition in Markneukirchen, Int. Music Competition in Brno).

Masterclasses:

1987, 1989 & 1991

House Marteau (Lichtenberg/Oberfranken)

1989

International Chambermusic Festival in Horn

1990

Festival de la Musica in Buñol, Valencia

1993

Festival de la Musica y Danza in Granada

1994, 1995 & 1996

Cartusiana Mauerbach

2006 & 2007

International Summer Academy, Semmering

Numerous appearances as a soloist in Austria, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan and Spain.
Radio and television productions for the Austrian, Bavarian und Hungarian broadcasting stations.